Australian cricketer Shane Watson announced his
retirement from all forms of competitive cricket on Tuesday, after the exit of his
team Chennai Super Kings from IPL tournament this year.    

The all-rounder announced the decision in a tweet on
Tuesday. He also posted a video in which he gave tribute to his parents,
coaches, teammates and fans for supporting him through his career and made him
achieve his dream.

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“It all started as a dream as a young kid saying to my
Mum, as I watched a Test match, that I want to play for Australia. Now as I
officially announce my retirement from all cricket I feel crazily lucky to live
my dream,” Watson said in the video posted on his Twitter handle.

“This closing chapter is going to be so hard to top,
but I am going to try. I truly am forever grateful to have lived this amazing
dream. Now onto the next exciting one…,” he said.

The explosive batsman had retired from
international cricket in 2016 and from the Australian Big Bash League last year.

The 39-year-old hung his boots after appearing in 58 tests, 190
ODIs and 58 T20Is at the international level. He began his international career
in 2001 against South Africa with a one-day and played his first test for Australia in 2004
against Pakistan.

Watson suffered no diminishing in his stature after his retirement
from international cricket, and moved to IPL where he remained a sought-after player
throughout his tenure attracting enormous sums for his auction.

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The latest was his 12th IPL season when he played
for CSK. He has played seven seasons with Rajasthan Royals, two with Royal
Challenge Bangalore and two with Chennai Super Kings.

He scored 3874 runs in 145 IPL games with four hundreds and
21 fifties. He took 92 wickets.